Our mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, we have completed more than 100 park projects in 33 states. Furthermore, to foster future park enthusiasts and stewards, we created our Buddy Bison School Program and Kids to Parks Day, our nationwide day of play. This video summarizes our work and celebrates the 2015 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award recipient, Senator Rob Portman (OH).

Mapping our progress

2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Since 1983, NPT has supported and assisted in acquiring inholdings and in developing public and private partnerships to promote the acquisition and preservation of parks, wildlife refuges, historic landmarks, public lands, and water ways. We have completed more than 100 park projects benefiting 49 national park units and other public lands in 33 states. To learn more about about our work and how you can get involved, contact Dick Ring, NPT Park Projects Director.

The Buddy Bison school program was created in 2009 to engage diverse children from Title I schools with their local, state and national parks to teach environmental education and the numerous benefits of outdoor recreation. If parks are to survive, the face of those parks must change and under-served communities must have access to these local cultural and environmental resources. More than 80% of the students in the Buddy Bison school program qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch, predominantly in inner city communities. This program has been used in 60 schools across the country in grades pre-K through 8th in public, public charter and private schools across the country (20 states and Washington D.C.).

This experiential learning program enhances existing school curricula throughout the year with emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) as well as history, language arts, reading, geography, the arts, and outdoor recreation. Students also learn about the careers of professionals who support our parks-- and the importance of stewarding our public lands. And in addition to bringing kids to parks, we bring parks to kids by arranging schools visits from our many conservation partners.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE SIMPSON OF IDAHO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C. (January 18, 2013) – National Park Trust (NPT) is pleased to announce that Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson will receive the 2013 Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award. The award will be presented to the Congressman at a reception in Washington, D.C. on June 5, 2013. Congressman Simpson currently serves as Chair of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee.

NPT will recognize Congressman Simpson for his remarkable record of creating bipartisan solutions to preserving parks and improving public access. At both the state and federal level, he has worked to create conservation policies that benefit both land and people.

Congressman Simpson’s recently sponsored the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA), which will protect 330,000 acres in Idaho’s Boulder and White Cloud Mountains. In addition, Congressman Simpson worked across the aisle to protect funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He has also helped to create a wheelchair-accessible path at Sawtooth National Recreation Area that both improved public access and maintained the park’s natural beauty. Simpson’s record underscores NPT’s support of bipartisan legislation that will ensure our greatest natural treasures will be protected and enjoyed by our local communities.

"I am honored to receive this award and humbled to be recognized by the National Park Trust. As an Idahoan I got to spend many of my childhood summers in state and national parks and other beautiful, wild spaces,” said Congressman Mike Simpson. “These places left their mark on me. As a result it is easy for me to recognize how valuable our national parks system is and to be an advocate for it, both in my role as a Member of Congress and as an American citizen.”

"Chairman Mike Simpson is a wonderful example of a congressional leader who works to find common ground in addressing the issues that impact our treasured national parks, our environment and historic sites. He is a very deserving recipient of the NPT's Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award,” said Susan Vento, NPT Leadership Council.

NPT established the Vento Award in 2000 to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Congressman from Minnesota, dedicated environmentalist, and a champion of legislation for America’s parks. The Award honors a public servant for his or her commitment to the environment, and his service, skill and innovation in support of our public lands. Past recipients include Senator Jeff Bingaman (NM), Senator Susan Collins (ME), Senator Mark Udall (CO), Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (CA), Senator Harry Reid (NV), Congressman George Miller (CA), Senator John McCain (AZ), and John Lewis (GA). All proceeds from the event benefit NPT’s park preservation and youth education initiatives.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. As people spend more time indoors and as successive generations grow up with less of a connection to nature, NPT wants to build greater awareness and appreciation for the importance of our country’s and parks and public lands. More details about NPT’s programs and this award can be found at www.ParkTrust.org.

Buddy Bison

Buddy Bison, our lovable woolly mascot encourages kids to explore outdoors, the parks are yours! Visit the Buddy Bison section of our site to learn more about our school program, and how you can get your own Buddy Bison and share your park adventures and photos. Did you know that proceeds from Buddy Bison sales help us get under-served kids to their local parks?

NPT Selected for NPS Centennial Challenge Project

We are honored to be selected for a $450K match as part of the NPS Centennial Challenge Project to enhance and expand our youth programs! Read more here.

NPT Welcomes Steve Schuler to Our Board of Trustees

"I am very pleased to be a part of National Park Trust’s board during this very exciting time as we approach the centennial celebration.”

NPT Welcomes Carolyn Cohen to Our Leadership Council"I believe that as educators, we have a commitment to teach our youth the importance of sustaining parkland, empowering them as stewards to preserve our national treasures." Read More.